Perfect disappointment
Germany is eliminated early from the Ice Hockey World Cup
Updated May 26, 2026 – 3:05 p.mReading time: 5 minutes
The hoped-for support from Hungary does not materialize. The German team, which was disappointing in the preliminary round, once again missed the minimum target of the quarter-finals.
That was it: The German national ice hockey team was once again eliminated from the World Cup in Switzerland after the preliminary round. Due to Latvia’s 8-1 win against Hungary, national coach Harold Kreis’s team no longer has a chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals. Only a win by outsiders Hungary against the Latvians could have given Germany fourth place and thus the round of the last eight. But the Hungarians had no chance from the start.
After the preliminary round exit a year ago in Denmark and the Olympic disappointment in Milan with all NHL stars around Leon Draisaitl, national coach Harold Kreis’ team experienced the third unsatisfactory tournament in a row. The future of the 67-year-old is open, DEB sports director Christian Künast avoided a commitment to Kreis, who sensationally led the German team to silver in his World Cup debut in 2023 and extended his contract last December.
Out of seven games, the district team only won against the three outsiders Hungary, Austria and Great Britain. The USA and Austria will fight for the last place in the knockout round in the afternoon (4:20 p.m.).
The live ticker to read
Hungary – Latvia 1:8 (0:3, 1:2, 0:3)
60th minute of play: And then it’s over in Zurich. The support from outsiders Hungary that Germany had hoped for has not materialized. While Latvia finds itself in the top eight, the DEB team only has the placement games.
59th minute of the game: Now things are getting really tough for the bravely fighting Hungarians. First they concede the next two-minute penalty and just a few seconds later they concede goal number eight. Alberts Smits shoots from the blue line, Vilmanis holds the stick in and makes a decisive deflection, so that Hungary’s goalkeeper Balizs has no chance again.
58th minute of the game: On the contrary. Rather, the Latvians, outnumbered, add one more. NHL professional Sandis Vilmanis single-handedly dupes Hungary’s defense, lets several opponents run into nothing and increases.
55th minute of the game: Shortly before the end, the second power play for Hungary in this game. Can the outsider use this to score another goal and make the result a little more friendly?
55th minute of the game: The half dozen are full. Latvia breaks the spell in the third period. Renars Krastenbergs completes a great move from a tight angle.
53rd minute of the game: The Latvians continue to dominate, but suddenly Hungary’s Erdely appears free in front of Latvia’s Gudlevskis. But the goalkeeper can direct his shot over the goal with a strong reflex.
51st minute of play: Half of the final period is over, both teams are still goalless.
48th minute of the game: This time the Hungarians actually survive the outnumbered situation unscathed.
46th minute of the game: Difficulty threatens for the Hungarians. In the person of Zeteny Hadobas, they receive a two-minute penalty for sticking. They have already conceded three goals in this game when they were outnumbered. And this time?
